Charles Derward Coats

Charles Derward Coats, 87, of Decatur, Georgia passed away Friday, December 4, 2015.
Charles was born on April 14, 1928 to the late Samuel Walker and Mary Arleavy Boyd Coats at his grandfather's house in Bowden, Carroll County, Georgia. He attended Tech High School in Atlanta, Georgia, Class Of 1946, where he ran cross country and played soccer. Charles went on to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology Engineering Evening School majoring in Building Construction Technology, Class of 1952, while working for the Georgia Department of Transportation in the lab. He went on to qualify as a Professional Engineer in the state of Georgia. He retired from the Georgia Department of Transportation after over 30 years of service. He continued to work in Highway Construction long after his official retirement. Charles met Marlene Branson at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia where both were members. They were married there on June 28, 1952. Charles was a Scout Master in the Atlanta Area Council for over 30 years, serving troops at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia and Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Decatur, Georgia. He had an inquisitive mind from an early age, often taking things apart just to find out how they worked. Charles loved building things and would spend hours on projects for family and friends. He enjoyed camping, both with his Boy Scout Troops and his family. Charles is survived by his wife, Marlene Branson Coats, of Tucker, Georgia; daughters, Janet (William) Wilson of Avondale Estates, Georgia, Sandra (John) Thornburg of Phenix City, Alabama, son-in-law M. David Harvey of Huntsville, Alabama, and his sister Dorothy C. Halleck of McDonough, Georgia. Charles was predeceased by daughter Nancy Harvey and brother, Samuel Everett Coats, Sr. He is also survived by four grandaughters Mary (Tyler) Goss of Kansas City, Missouri, Ashley Harvey of Birmingham, Alabama; Victoria Thornburg and Catherine Thornburg, both of Phenix City, Alabama; one great-granddaughter; two nieces, Shirley Harrison and Sue Fuller; several great-nieces and nephews. The Funeral/Memorial Service for Charles D. Coats will be held on Friday December 11, 2015 at 2pm at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 2089 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30307 (entrance to the parking lot is off of East Lake Drive). A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. A family and friends visitation, to honor Charles' memory, will be held on Thursday December 10, 2015 from 5pm to 7pm in the Parish Hall at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany. In lieu of flowers please make donations in memory of Charles D. Coats to either the Atlanta Area Council of Boy Scouts of America (http://www.atlantabsa.org/support-bsa/memorials-tributes/25658 http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001gkRJqqrcICDO7H_qcn2Vuw_IyJfTfJQJ-ePzebUeW4_Rdx19Y7Gx5TxPyUePK2W7ABqIXJBXUCaS0G3Bm_244FxgQVwzVgkqaP8RnBkxXEz3BOOUUhoJ-8rxUjQZvDrJHl9ueUnmjr6tSxFtPh8mXnpbOEI5vUG7wu9CUvbfuKDkhnraVzfrllYoCm2ckABF4CagiMQwevdZ2ZpKHMJCTC23ePMWz76VIBgh5bkU9HY=andc=bMID_57F5W5CFiQ1XypkKIU-Eeox5YLHdXiGx3hmvuAeH69Gcph6yg==andch=McHxOn97IqAJHi_WGGIlHv2ewK7l8OHUx2G0N4vCcp8Il8SAbwq_iQ==) or The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany's Endowment Fund.


Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033